Plants 20–30 cm; woody roots and relatively slender caudex branches. Stems ascending-erect, often wiry and brittle. Phyllaries hispido-hirsute (hairs translucent, spreading, stiff, relatively thick-based), sometimes slightly glandular.

Phenology: Flowering May–Aug(–Sep).
Habitat: Open, rocky sites, commonly crevices and ledges, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine
Elevation: (1200–)1300–2700(–3100) m

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Calif., Nev.

Discussion

Variety porphyreticus is similar to var. breweri in the production of relatively slender, rhizomelike proximal caudex branches, spreading-deflexed stem vestiture, and blue ray corollas; var. porphyreticus differs in its wirier stems, generally greater development of flowering branches, larger heads, and hirsuto-hispid phyllaries with broad, stramineous-indurate margins and lack of green apical patches.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.